Page 59 - DRACULA

Dracula

made a wonderful solicitor, for there was nothing that he
did not think of or foresee. For a man who was never in
the country, and who did not evidently do much in the
way of business, his knowledge and acumen were

wonderful. When he had satisfied himself on these points
of which he had spoken, and I had verified all as well as I
could by the books available, he suddenly stood up and
said, ‘Have you written since your first letter to our friend
Mr. Peter Hawkins, or to any other?’
It was with some bitterness in my heart that I answered
that I had not, that as yet I had not seen any opportunity
of sending letters to anybody.
‘Then write now, my young friend,’ he said, laying a
heavy hand on my shoulder, ‘write to our friend and to
any other, and say, if it will please you, that you shall stay
with me until a month from now.’
‘Do you wish me to stay so long?’ I asked, for my heart
grew cold at the thought.
‘I desire it much, nay I will take no refusal. When your
master, employer, what you will, engaged that someone
should come on his behalf, it was understood that my
needs only were to be consulted. I have not stinted. Is it
not so?’

58 of 684